Background
Morphy, Paul Charles, , Louisiana 1837 1884 Male Chess Player chess player, was born in New Orleans, the son of Alonzo Morphy, a distinguished member of the Louisiana bar, and his wife, Thelcide Louise Le Carpentier.
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Paul Morphy
Edit ProfileEducation
He prepared for college at the Jefferson Academy in New Orleans, entered Spring Hill College, Alabama, in December 1850, and graduated with honor in 1854.
He continued there until October 1855, studying chiefly law and mathematics, then attended the law school of the University of Louisiana, graduating in April 1857 and being admitted to practice as soon as he should become of legal age.
Career
At the age of ten Morphy was taught to play chess by his grandfathers.
At the age of twelve he was recognized as the strongest player in New Orleans.
In May 1850 he contested three games in New Orleans with the famous Hungarian expert, J. J. L"wenthal, winning two and drawing one.
In early life he acquired a fluent command of French, Spanish, and German.
By urgent solicitation of the Committee of Management he was induced to participate in the first American Chess Congress, meeting at New York City in the fall of 1857.
His over-whelming success here and his later games with American experts gave him immediate recognition as the foremost American player.
A description of his playing at this time appeared in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper (Oct. 31, 1857): "Mr. Morphy is a most fascinating player for those looking on.
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Morphy quietly suggests that mate may be given in five, six, or seven moves. "
An enthusiastic reception awaited him upon his return to New Orleans at the end of 1857.
As Staunton again declined to play, a match was arranged with J. J. L"wenthal who had recently defeated Staunton in a tournament.
Morphy won with nine to three and two drawn games.
Receptions and gifts were showered upon him to his evident embarrassment.
Possibly today Morphy's national prominence would have furthered his personal ambitions in law, but at that time in New Orleans there was no proper opening for him.
Considering chess primarily an amusement and wishing to please his devoted mother, who opposed his playing, Morphy never thought seriously of the game as offering a career, nor accepted compensation for his chess activities.
During his stay in New York he formed an editorial connection with the Chess Monthly.
D. W. Fiske [q. v. ] has noted (manuscript letters to Seguin, John G. White Collection, Cleveland Public Library) that Morphy annotated hundreds of games and "made frequent suggestions as to the matter of the Chess Monthly which were generally adopted. "
During 1861 his efforts to launch a legal career in New Orleans failed.
During the years 1862 to 1864 he visited Havana and Paris, playing chess privately but, in view of the war, properly avoiding any matches or public performances.
In 1867 he visited Paris, but apparently played no chess.
He continued to live at his home in New Orleans with his mother.
He undoubtedly suffered some mental disturbance accounted for by the conflict mentioned above and possibly by a disappointment in love.
As late as 1875, however, he apparently gave serious consideration to the invitation to play in the Congress of the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia.
[D. W. Fiske, The Book of the First American Chess Congress (1859); C. A. Buck, Paul Morphy (1902); Regina Morphy-Voitier, Life of Paul Morphy (1926); L. A. Morphy, Poems and Prose Sketches, with a Biog.
Personality
He was short and slight of stature, with dark eyes and hair, careful in dress, and distinguished in appearance and bearing.
Connections
The paternal grandfather was a native of Spain, possibly a descendant of an Irish émigré named Murphy.
The mother's family was French, having come to New Orleans from Santo Domingo.
Upon his return to New Orleans he became involved in an unfortunate quarrel with the executor of his father's estate.
He died, unmarried, at his home in New Orleans.
